JAMA MASJID
To the west of the prayer
room of this mosque, arch-shaped mihrabs are provided. These
mihrabs are dug deep in the wall, unlike those in other mosques.
Especially the central mihrab, which is always covered with a
curtain, shows complicated form and style, having triple arches
piled on top of one another. It is said that the mihrab was
coloured by Sultan Muhammad. Various patterns including Arabic
characters and drawings of buildings, showing a contrast to the
neat outside appearance of the mosque, are uncommon not only
among South Asian mosques but also among other Muslim buildings.
The style and patterns employed in the central mihrab and the
method to decrease the diameter of the dome by using cross arch
in the central dome show unique feature, not seen in the history
of South Asian mosque. As for the colouring of the mihrab, please
refer to the colour pictures at the beginning part of a book
written by Dr. Henry Cousens. The patterns are so original that
they look like a design of abstruct painting in the modern
period.
It is said that this Jama Masjid with various
special features were founded by Ali Adil Sha I and its
construction finished under the Sultan Muhammad. The gate
projecting out from the north wall of the mosque was added under
the reign of Aurangzeb. In any case, it can be said that this
Jama Masjid in Bijapur is a historical architectural heritage
that can leave its name on the history of mosque construction in
South Asia. (Matsuo Ara)